Minor Ailments Scheme (MAS)
Changes to payments for the Minor Ailments Service from 1st May
From 1st May 2026 NHS Greater Manchester has changed the way payments are made for the GM Minor Ailments Service.
Payments will be processed via SBS and will now appear on your monthly FP34c as Local Service 1.
Please note:
- It is the responsibility of the Community Pharmacy contractor to ensure all service data is entered onto PharmOutcomes in line with the detail laid out in this Service Specification document, in order to ensure payments will be made promptly
- Invoices will run on the 2nd of the month. Any records entered up to 11:59pm on 1st Month will be paid within that month, any records entered after this will be made the following month
- Consultations inputted more than one month later than the date of consultation will not be accepted for payment
| Locality | Status |
| Bolton |
Extended eligibility criteria will be rolled over until further notice (See criteria below) |
| Bury | Extended eligibility criteria will be rolled over until further notice (See criteria below) |
| Manchester | Extended eligibility criteria will be rolled over until further notice (See criteria below) |
| Oldham | Extended eligibility criteria will be rolled over until further notice (See criteria below) |
| Rochdale | Extended eligibility criteria will be rolled over until further notice (See criteria below) |
| Salford | Extended eligibility criteria applies (See criteria below) |
| Stockport | Extended eligibility criteria applies (See criteria below) |
| Tameside | Extended eligibility criteria applies (See criteria below) |
| Trafford | Extended eligibility criteria will be rolled over until further notice (See criteria below) |
| Wigan |
Extended eligibility criteria will be rolled over until further notice (See criteria below) |
Further information will be published here when available for localities that have rolled over.
GM MAS Patient Eligibility Criteria
The service can be accessed free at the point of use by residents within Greater Manchester set by the localities in which geography the service is delivered,
and who meets the financial eligibility criteria as per the published Greater Manchester Medicines Management Group (GMMMG) commissioning
statement. The GMMMG commissioning statement defines financial vulnerability as in receipt of the following income related benefits (in line with NHS
national criteria for help with prescription costs).
Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan locality areas are using the exemption criteria below
• is under 16 years of age
• is 16, 17 or 18 and in full-time education
• is 60 years of age or over
• has a valid maternity exemption certificate
• has a valid medical exemption certificate
• has a valid prescription exemption certificate issued by Ministry of Defence
• is named on current HC2 charges certificate
• gets Income Support or income related ESA
• gets income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• is entitled or named on valid NHS Tax Credit Exemption certificate
• receives Pension Credit Guarantee Credit (including partners)
• Universal Credit and meets the criteria. Find out more at www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/UC
Supporting resources:
- Service Specification – 31/03/2024 – 31/03/2025
- GM MAS Formulary Update – March 2024
- GM MAS Patient eligibility to access the service
- Minor-Ailments consultation form – 31/03/2025
- Self-Care Patient Leaflet
- GM MAS PharmOutcomes Module Overview -11/09/2020
- Conditions which can be treated on the GM MAS
- Children and Young People Settings
